The team at Morgans has just provided fresh guidance on Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) and Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC). 

Both companies have faced headwinds over the last 12 months, resulting in share price losses between 3% and 8% in that span. 

What did the companies report?

As reported by James Mickleboro earlier this week, Lottery Corporation announced resilient FY26 results. The company maintained a fully franked full-year dividend and continued growth in its Keno business, despite rare unfavourable jackpot outcomes.

EBITDA (before significant items) of $736.1 million was down 1.8%, while NPAT (before significant items) of $342.5 million was down 6.3%. 

Meanwhile, Superloop announced underlying EBITDA increased 33% to $122.7 million, exceeding the top end of upgraded guidance. 

Revenue was up 21.6% to $664.3 million with 205,000 net new customers. 

The full releases can be found here: 

• Superloop FY Results
• Lottery Corporation FY Results. 

Following these results, Morgans provided commentary on both ASX 300 companies. 

Morgans' view on Superloop shares 

Morgans said given the upgraded FY26 EBITDA guidance in mid-June 2026, the result was largely as expected. 

It is worth noting underlying EBITDA was slightly above the top end of guidance, marking the third upgrade in FY26. The composition of the result underpins our comfort that FY27 consensus expectations for ~$150m of underlying EBITDA are achievable. We retain our HOLD recommendation but lift our Target Price to $3.40.

From yesterday's closing price, this target indicates almost 9% upside. 

Morgans' view on Lottery Corporation shares 

Morgans said this ASX 300 stock delivered a resilient FY26 result. 

Price retention held up well, with 63% on Powerball and 100% on Saturday lotto, and the dividend was maintained at 16.5cps. Looking ahead, new FY27 guidance rebases opex to $305-315m and D&A to $125-130m, and with conditions still softer against undemanding comps, we have cut our top-line Lotteries forecasts by 2-3% across FY27-28F.

Below the line, the reclassification of Keno revenue, the exit from online Keno and higher interest costs following the Victorian licence renewal drive c.6-7% EPS cuts. We retain our Hold recommendation, with a revised price target of $5.60 (prev. $5.70).

From yesterday's closing price, this updated target indicates a modest upside of just over 7%. 

The post What is Morgan's view on these ASX 300 shares following earnings results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In this situation, it pays to check in with the experts and see which results have piqued their interest.

I've selected three reports from UBS analysts who have rated these companies a buy.

Let's see who they like.

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC)

UBS said Superloop's EBITDA of $123 million for the full year came in ahead of guidance, which was a positive.

The broker said "there is a lot to like here", including good margins on the business and wholesale front, momentum in adding new consumer customers, and disciplined cost management.

They added:

We think these will feature yet again in FY27 and beyond and establish a solid foundation for SLC to deliver on its Supercharge29 ambitions. We forecast progressive margin improvement for both Business and Wholesale, and expect EBITDA margins to exceed 20% by FY29.

UBS said the company also reported good momentum for the first six weeks of FY27, which was not surprising "given SLC's extensive marketing efforts to increase brand awareness, network quality and relatively attractive pricing''.

UBS has a price target of $4.15 on Superloop shares compared to $3.08 currently.

Service Stream Ltd (ASX: SSM)

UBS said this company also delivered a full-year result that was better than expected, with good margins contributing.

The broker noted that Service Stream continues to see 5% to 10% year-on-year earnings growth as sustainable.

They also suggested the company could be active in the M&A space, saying:

With $81mn net cash and strong track record of cash generation, we think SSM is well placed to supplement its organic growth profile. SSM has successfully integrated Lendlease Services and has exceeded expectations when it comes to mobilisation and ramp up of Defence work. These experiences should bode well especially when it comes to M&A opportunities, in our view. Focus is likely to be on Power and Industrial, but we think SSM is likely to consider opportunities to diversify its capabilities and capacity beyond these areas.

UBS has a price target of $2.95 on Service Stream compared to $2.51 currently.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

This company also beat FY26 consensus estimates on a number of fronts, and while revenue growth was lower than expected, margins were better.

UBS said the company remained attractive as it had a long-term track record of double-digit EBIT growth.

The broker has a $37 price target on Breville shares compared to $31.26 currently.

The post 3 ASX stocks UBS rates as a buy after recent results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent the entire session in red territory. By the time the closing bell rang, the index had dropped 0.18% to finish at 9,053.8 points.

This miserable Wednesday for the local markets came after a similarly pessimistic night up on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't hold water, dropping 0.22%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit far harder though, falling 1.33%.

But let's return to ASX shares now and dive into how the different ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

The losers easily outnumbered the winners this Wednesday.

Leading said losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker, plunging 3.15%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also hit hard, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) cratering by 1.15%.

Financial shares fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) still tanked 0.64%, though.

Consumer discretionary stocks were in a similar boat, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.58% dive.

Gold shares weren't much of a safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value shrink 0.18%.

We could almost say the same for broader mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) retreating 0.04%.

Let's turn to the winners now.

Leading the team were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) roared 2.6% higher today.

Energy stocks also ran hot, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.77% surge.

Utilities shares were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.35% this session.

Consumer staples stocks were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) advancing 0.31%.

Industrial shares got out unscathed this hump day. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up lifting 0.05%.

Finally, communications stocks notched a dodge, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.04% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

It was REIT Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) that took out today's top spot. Stockland units shot up 12.35% this Wednesday to finish at $4.55 each.

This came after the REIT reported its latest earnings, which clearly delighted the market.

Here's how the other top shares landed their planes:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• Reported revenue up 21.6% to $664.3 million
• Underlying EBITDA up 33.1% to $122.7 million, exceeding upgraded guidance
• Net profit after tax rose to $17.5 million, up from $1.2 million in FY25
• Free cash flow increased 50% to $84.4 million
• Customer base grew by 205,000 to a total of 935,000
• Group nbn market share up 1.9 percentage points to 8.5%

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop successfully completed its three-year Double Down strategy in FY26, driving scale, improved margins and strong cashflow. Integration of the Frontier and Lynham acquisitions helped nearly double Smart Communities contracted lots to around 190,000, bolstering future annuity earnings.

All three business segments – Consumer, Business and Wholesale – delivered revenue and gross profit growth, with the Consumer segment now serving 501,000 customers. Investment in digital and AI solutions drove efficiency, with group margin and operating leverage improving further.

The Group finished the year with $101.7 million in cash and net debt of approximately $128 million, strengthening its capacity to support organic growth and selective acquisitions.

What did Superloop management say?

Superloop's CEO, Paul Tyler, commented:

Three years ago, we launched Double Down to build a larger, more profitable and highly cash-generative business. FY26 marks the successful completion of that strategy. We delivered on every commitment we made and finished the year with Underlying EBITDA of $122.7 million, above the top end of our upgraded guidance range. Our growth momentum is continuing. The integration of the Frontier and Lynham acquisitions into Smart Communities has yielded a scaled infrastructure platform that will continue to convert contracted lots into high-margin annuity earnings for years to come.

We grew all three customer segments while improving group margin, demonstrating the operating leverage inherent in our business model. Strong cash generation gives us the ability to fund further investment in the network, support customer growth and act on acquisitions where we see opportunity to create shareholder value. We look forward to the next phase of growth under SuperCharge29.

What's next for Superloop?

Superloop is now turning to its new "SuperCharge29" strategy, targeting more than $1 billion in group revenue, $200 million in underlying EBITDA, and over 30% reported EPS growth CAGR by FY29. Future investment will be focused on balancing organic growth, expansion of Smart Communities, and selective acquisitions that create further shareholder value.

FY27 guidance will be provided in November, with management emphasising a disciplined approach to growth and a strong balance sheet to support strategic opportunities.

Superloop share price snapshot

It has been a subdued 12 months for the Superloop share price. During this time, the company's shares have trailed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a decline of around 4%.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop FY26 earnings: EBITDA up 33% as customer growth surges appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The Superloop share price is down 4.76% to $3.40 at the time of writing, after the company confirmed its Chief Executive had offloaded a large parcel of shares.

The move comes after a solid 2026 for the stock, with Superloop shares up around 35%.

So, should investors read much into today's announcement?

Superloop boss sells shares

According to the announcement, Superloop Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Tyler sold 500,000 shares on 3 June.

The shares were sold on-market for about $1.8 million, at a price of $3.59 per share.

That's a large sale from the company's boss, so it's not surprising the update has caught investor attention.

Superloop said the sale was made to fund tax obligations arising from the exercise of performance rights and share options.

The company also said the sale would help meet other financial obligations.

Tyler still owns a sizeable stake

Despite the sell-off, the update also showed Tyler remains one of Superloop's largest individual shareholders.

After the sale, his indirect holdings through 3 Paterson Pty Ltd include 1.88 million ordinary shares and 2.73 million performance rights.

He also directly holds 144,687 ordinary shares and 83,563 employee share options.

Superloop also confirmed the trade was not made during a closed period.

What does Superloop do?

Superloop provides internet and connectivity services to households, businesses, and wholesale customers.

The company owns fibre, fixed wireless assets, and subsea cable capacity, and operates brands including Superloop and Exetel.

It has been pushing for a larger share of Australia's broadband market, helped by customer growth and its network footprint.

Brokers have also been more positive on the stock after Superloop's recent guidance update.

UBS raised its price target by 19% to $4.15 a share, while Macquarie lifted its target by 5.7% to $3.70.

Based on the current share price, the potential upside is 22% and 8.8%, respectively.

Foolish Takeaway

It is important to note that today's fall isn't linked to a downgrade or any change in Superloop's trading outlook.

The market is reacting because of the large share sale from Paul Tyler, even though the company has given tax and financial obligations as the reason.

The sale will still get attention because it came from the Chief Executive, and because the stock had already bounced 35% this year.

Nonetheless, Tyler still has a meaningful holding in the company after the transaction.

The post Superloop boss sells nearly $2 million worth of shares. Should investors be worried? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are tumbling:

IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)

The IperionX share price is down 4% to $5.69. This morning, this titanium alloys producer released the results of the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its 100%-owned Titan Critical Minerals Project in the United States. The DFS shows that the project is expected to deliver a "US$813 million after-tax NPV8, 39% IRR and US$1.9 billion after-tax free cash flow from an initial 14-year mine plan producing heavy rare earth concentrate, titanium minerals and zircon." It seems the market was expecting even stronger results.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)

The Northern Star share price is down 5% to $20.62. Investors have been selling gold miners after the price of the precious metal fell overnight. The catalyst was a rise in oil prices on Wednesday after tensions between the US and Iran escalated. This has sparked fears that inflation may spike and require interest rate hikes to get it under control. The S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold index is down around 3% at the time of writing.

Opthea Ltd (ASX: OPT)

The Opthea share price is down a further 19% to 1.3 cents. This biotechnology company's shares have lost around 98% of their value over the past two sessions after returning from a suspension that lasted over a year. After a failed clinical trial, Opthea is ending its focus on retinal diseases and relaunching with a new strategy focused on OPT-302 as a potential treatment for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). It is a rare, chronic lung disease that primarily affects women. The company believes OPT-302 could have a role because the disease is associated with elevated VEGF-C and VEGF-D signalling, which OPT-302 is designed to inhibit. Opthea's executive chair, Dr Jeremy Levin, said: "Opthea is relaunching with a focused strategy centered on OPT-302 and a clear objective: to evaluate a differentiated, mechanism-driven therapeutic opportunity in LAM while leveraging the Company's substantial existing development, manufacturing and clinical infrastructure."

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC)

The Superloop share price is down 5% to $3.41. This may have been driven by the release of a broker note out of Macquarie this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the telco's shares to a neutral rating (from outperform) but with a slightly improved price target of $3.70. Macquarie made the move on valuation grounds following a strong gain since the start of the year.

The post Why IperionX, Northern Star, Opthea, and Superloop shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• FY26 underlying EBITDA now expected at $118 million to $122 million, up from prior $112–$120 million guidance
• This represents 28% to 32% growth on FY25
• Lightning Broadband acquisition adds approximately $700,000 to FY26 earnings
• Capex guidance raised by $2 million to $34–$37 million (excludes IRU renewal)

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop is holding its Investor Day today, where management will outline a new three-year growth strategy, called Supercharge29, targeting the period FY27 to FY29. The strategy aims to build shareholder value through ongoing organic growth, expanding Smart Communities, accretive acquisitions, and disciplined capital management.

The company continues to provide connectivity to consumers, businesses, and wholesale partners using its infrastructure assets, including fibre, subsea cables, and fixed wireless. Superloop's Infrastructure-on-Demand platform enables challenger retail brands to compete for a greater share of the Australian internet market.

What's next for Superloop?

Investors can look forward to detailed updates on the company's Supercharge29 strategy, aimed at driving sustained growth from FY27 onwards. Management emphasises continued investment in both organic initiatives and targeted M&A.

The enhanced capex guidance signals a commitment to strengthening Superloop's infrastructure and supporting expanding Smart Communities, all while balancing returns with disciplined capital management.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 31%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 3% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop upgrades FY26 earnings guidance and unveils new strategy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• Acquisition of 100% of Lightning Broadband for $165 million in cash
• Lightning Broadband operates an open-access wholesale FTTP network across 400+ developments
• Approximately 56,000 lots secured, including 16,000 services in operation as at April
• Acquisition funded by cash and debt; net debt post-acquisition expected to be about 1.4x EBITDA
• Joint Functional Separation Undertaking now approved and effective

What else do investors need to know?

The acquisition marks a major step forward for Superloop's Smart Communities growth strategy, expanding its fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) reach across six Australian states and territories. By integrating Lightning Broadband, Superloop strengthens its position as a challenger in the national FTTP market.

The approval and commencement of the Joint Functional Separation Undertaking by the ACCC ensures that Superloop's wholesale FTTP activities will operate within a clearly separated and regulated framework, enhancing transparency and access for retail service providers.

What's next for Superloop?

Superloop is expected to focus on integrating the Lightning Broadband business into its existing operations and leveraging its open-access FTTP infrastructure to attract new retail partners. The company will continue advancing its Smart Communities platform, aiming to grow its footprint and service capability nationwide.

With net debt remaining low post-acquisition, Superloop states it will maintain financial flexibility to pursue further growth, while the JFSU is set to support healthy competition in the wholesale fibre market.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 29%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 4% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop completes Lightning Broadband acquisition appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Australia's benchmark index rose just over 1% during Tuesday's trading session.

This sparked fresh 52-week highs for several well-known ASX shares. 

Here's what experts are saying about these companies right now. 

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra shares rose another 2% yesterday to hit fresh 52-week highs of $5.52 per share. 

It has now climbed 13% year to date, as investors have pushed their chips in on defensive options like Telstra. 

It is considered a defensive stock because telecommunications services are essential, so customers tend to keep paying for mobile and internet plans even during economic downturns. 

Its large market share, recurring revenue, and relatively stable dividend payments also make earnings less volatile compared with more cyclical industries like mining or retail.

Following this recent share price rise, it appears that Telstra shares are close to fully valued. 

Catapult Wealth recently placed a hold recommendation on the company. 

Additionally, 13 analyst forecasts via TradingView indicate the current share price is 5% above fair value. 

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE)

QBE shares rose 3% yesterday to hit a fresh 52-week high of $24 per share. 

It has now climbed 21% year to date. 

It has been one of the beneficiaries of rising interest rates. 

QBE is Australia's second-largest international insurer. 

Insurers can benefit from interest rate rises because they invest premiums and earn more when yields rise.

With that being said, it now appears that QBE shares are approaching fair value. 

Macquarie recently downgraded QBE shares to a hold rating with a $25.10 price target. 

This indicates just 4% upside from current levels. 

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC)

Superloop is an Australian telecommunications and internet infrastructure company that provides broadband and NBN services, fibre networks and enterprise connectivity. 

Yesterday, its share price climbed 1.4% to hit a new 52 week high of $3.56. 

It has now risen almost 40% year to date. 

The share price rise has been driven by positive growth for the company. 

It recently reported a 21.2% increase in customers and a 23.3% lift in revenue compared to the prior year.

Despite these positive metrics, the company appears close to full valuation right now. 

Nathan Lodge from Securities Vault recently placed a hold rating on this ASX telecommunications share.

Furthermore, eight analyst ratings via TradingView have an average 12 month price target of $3.50 on Superloop shares. 

The post Are Telstra and these ASX shares a buy, hold or sell after hitting new yearly highs? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Among the 11 market sectors, technology is the fastest riser, up 3.7%, after a strong lead from Wall Street.

The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) has been on a tear, up 11% in a month, and hit a new record overnight.

The materials sector is the laggard, down 2.7%, due to falling gold, silver, copper, iron ore, and lithium prices today.

Let's check out some new ratings from the experts.

Hansen Technologies Ltd (ASX: HSN)

The Hansen Technologies share price is $4.80, up 1.6% today and down 19% over six months.

Hansen is a global provider of software and services to the energy, water, and communications industries.

Shaw and Partners reiterated its buy rating on this ASX tech share after the company presented at its TechRise Conference.

The broker said:

Management reiterated FY26 remains weighted to a stronger 2H, with DigiTalk contributing ~$10–11m revenue and FX remaining a top-line headwind.

Margin commentary was incrementally more confident, with management suggesting "30% plus" margins are realistic over the medium term, supported by AI-driven productivity gains.

Large telco opportunities and proof-of-concepts continue progressing positively, while AI discussion was materially more commercially focused and increasingly framed as an opportunity.

HSN also expects to be net cash positive later this calendar year, supporting further disciplined M&A. Reiterate Buy. 

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC)

The Superloop share price is $3.51, up 0.3% today and up 38% in the calendar year to date.

Nathan Lodge from Securities Vault has a hold rating on this ASX telecommunications share.

Lodge explained his rating on The Bull this week:

This internet service provider is a strong performer, benefiting from increasing data demand and network utilisation. The company is executing well on its fibre and broadband strategy, and earnings momentum has improved.

However, much of the near term upside appears priced in. The market is recognising its infrastructure value and, accordingly, valuation multiples have expanded.

While structural demand for connectivity remains intact, the competitive telecommunications environment in Australia limits pricing power. Growth is likely to continue, but at a more measured pace.

Investors already positioned in SLC should hold, but fresh capital may find better risk-reward opportunities elsewhere.

Select Harvests Ltd (ASX: SHV)

The Select Harvests share price is $3.62, up 1.4% today and down 27% in 2026 so far.

Shaw and Partners reiterated its buy rating on this ASX agriculture share this week.

The broker said Select Harvests is the world's No. 5 almond producer and exports more than 80% of its almonds.

It noted favourable supply and demand dynamics, including growing almond prices, up 7% over the four weeks to 6 May alone.

Shaw and Partners said:

The confirmation of high demand and tight Californian (and Australian) supply, alongside yesterday's Blue Diamond's detailed report on the higher Californian cost base (up to US$3.00/lb) should push almond price up at least 7% to US$3.41/lb.

We rate Select Harvests Limited (ASX:SHV) and Buy for the 64% return over the next 12-24 months from a 57% lift in EBITDA in FY'26F, re-start of dividend in 2HFY'26F, and cash flow platform.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Superloop, Hansen Technologies, Select Harvests shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• Revenue grew 23.3% year-over-year to $317.6 million in FY26
• Customer numbers up 21.2% to 805,000 as at June 2026
• Underlying EBITDA rose 45.9% to $55.8 million in FY26
• EBITDA margin improved to 17.6% from 16.9% last year
• Operating expenses to revenue ratio reduced further to 13.4%

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop reported disciplined operating cost management, supported by digital and AI investment, which has improved operating leverage as the customer base expands. The company continues to focus on scaling up its infrastructure-on-demand platform, supporting both retail and wholesale growth across its consumer, business, and wholesale market segments.

A notable development is Superloop's agreement to acquire Lightning Broadband, anticipated to add 54,000 contracted FTTP lots and accelerate Superloop's presence in the fibre-to-the-premise market. The acquisition is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of FY26, pending regulatory approvals.

What's next for Superloop?

Looking ahead, Superloop is prioritising the expansion of its Smart Communities portfolio and leveraging its enhanced metro fibre footprint. The integration of Lightning Broadband will bolster its scale and annuity revenue base, enabling it to reach more homes and businesses.

Management remains optimistic about continuing to grow market share through product innovation, sustained investment in AI and digital tools, and focused cost discipline as Superloop seeks to solidify its place amongst Australia's leading internet providers.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 34%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Superloop lifts revenue and customer base appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the start of 2026, fundies had high hopes for global small-caps given many Western nations, including the US, appeared poised to cut interest rates.

The war in Iran has changed that outlook.

A two-week ceasefire is now in place, however, the shock to energy supplies will take months to filter throughout Western economies.

Given oil's flow-through effect to so many parts of the economy, including grocery prices, the impact may be enough to push up inflation.

Central banks are likely to respond by either hiking rates, or delaying previously anticipated rate cuts.

In Australia, inflation was resurgent even before the war began.

We've had two rate hikes already this year, and the market is pricing in a 60% chance of another one next month.

Higher interest rates are typically a headwind for small-caps, which are typically young companies using debt to fund their growth.

Here are 3 ASX small-cap shares that fund manager, Blackwattle, is backing for solid growth.

Blackwattle holds all three of these ASX shares in its Small Cap Quality Fund.

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX: LIN)

The Lindian Resources share price is 88 cents, up 1.4% today.

This ASX rare earths mining share rose 26% over the past month, and is 782% higher over the past year.

Portfolio managers Robert Hawkesford and Daniel Broeren said:

Lindian Resources (+24.7%) is a rare earths miner in the final stages of bringing online its lead project, Kangankunde.

This is a unique asset given its low mining cost and extremely low capex requirements versus other rare earth projects globally.

For these reasons the company should be able to transition to production quickly, with first ore due later this year.

In March, Lindian announced a JV with a rare earths processor, which will allow it to produce a higher-grade concentrate.

This has materially increased the value of the company as it captures more of the value chain and taps into Western markets looking to pivot away from China supply.

Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC)

The Ridley Corporation share price is steady at $2.74 on Thursday.

This small-cap ASX agribusiness share rose 2% over the past month, and is 14% higher over 12 months.

Blackwattle also holds this ASX share in its Small Cap Quality Fund.

Hawkesford and Broeren comment:

While the business may appear on the boring side, the excitement for us comes from the operational improvements executed by the management team under the current CEO, Quinton Hildebrand.

Hildebrand has guided the share price from 75c in 2020 to $2.90 by taking a strict focus on ROIC discipline.

Looking forward we are particularly excited about what can be delivered from the newly acquired fertiliser business, Incitec Pivot.

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC)

Superloop shares are $3.23, up 0.8% today.

This small-cap ASX telecommunications share rose 13% over the past month, and is 60% higher over 12 months.

Hawkesford and Broeren said:

Shares rose strongly in February following a well-received 1H26 result that demonstrated clear operating leverage and broad-based growth across all key metrics and segments.

Superloop continues to take market share from incumbent telecommunications providers, supported by its competitively priced high-speed broadband offerings and vertically integrated network.

Management commentary also reinforced confidence in the company's growth trajectory, with continued subscriber additions and
improving scale across the platform expected to drive meaningful earnings expansion over the coming years.

The post 3 ASX small-cap shares this fund manager expects to outperform appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Then you might want to give Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares a pass and have a look at Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) instead.

With a market cap of $1.6 billion, Superloop is still a minnow compared to Telstra, which commands a market cap of $59.4 billion.

But the smaller ASX 200 stock has been outperforming Telstra shares for a long time now.

Year to date, Superloop shares are up 24.7%, compared to an 8.6% gain posted by Telstra. Stepping back a full year, Superloop shares are up 46.3% compared to the 27.9% 12-month gain in the Telstra share price.

And if we go back five years, then Superloop shares are up 247.8%, racing ahead of the 55.3% gains posted by Telstra over this period.

Now, Telstra does pay dividends, which Superloop does not. At least not yet. But even taking Telstra's 3.8% partly-franked dividend yield into account, Superloop shares have still delivered materially superior returns.

This strong performance and resulting gains in its market cap saw the stock added to the ASX 200 Index in September.

And looking ahead, Alphinity Investment Management portfolio manager Stuart Welch believes the company could benefit from further earnings upgrades (courtesy of The Australian Financial Review).

ASX 200 stock on the growth path

"We invest in companies that are delivering earnings ahead of expectations and have future earnings forecasts upgraded," Welch explained.

Asked which stock his fund owns that most people wouldn't be familiar with, Welch said:

Alphinity typically invests in large, reasonably valued, quality businesses that are in an earnings upgrade cycle. So, it is rare that investors haven't heard of the stocks we invest in.

However, [one that] readers might be less familiar with is Superloop, which competes against Telstra offering high speed NBN, fixed wireless broadband, and mobile phone services. They also service business and wholesale customers.

Commenting on why he's bullish on the ASX 200 stock, Welch concluded:

In our view, Superloop has the potential to continue having future earnings forecasts upgraded as they take market share, given their relatively low-cost positioning supported by their infrastructure ownership.

Superloop's Telstra beating growth figures

Superloop reported its half-year (H1 FY 2026) results on 18 February.

Highlights included a 23% year-on-year increase in revenue to $317.6 million.

And underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the six months were up 46% to $55.8 million.

As for those earnings upgrades, the ASX 200 stock boosted its guidance for full-year FY 2026 underlying EBITDA to between $112 million and $120 million, up from prior guidance of $109 million to $117 million.

The post Forget Telstra shares! Buy this fast-rising ASX 200 telco stock instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• Over 250,000 Origin broadband subscribers now on the Superloop network (Milestone 4 achieved)
• Triggers share issue obligation based on customer milestones
• Milestone shares priced at the 30-day VWAP at milestone date
• Shares subject to 12-month voluntary lock-up

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop's Origin contract is an exclusive six-year deal to provide wholesale internet services to Origin Energy Retail and its subsidiaries. The deal, secured in March 2024, has enabled Superloop to substantially grow its retail broadband subscriber base.

Each milestone achieved under the Origin contract triggers the issue of Superloop shares, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. The shares issued for Milestone 4 are locked up for one year, aligning management's interests with long-term performance.

What's next for Superloop?

Looking ahead, Superloop will continue executing on its Origin partnership and remains focused on growing its position as a leading challenger in the Australian broadband market. Reaching Milestone 4 demonstrates progress in scaling its wholesale and retail internet offerings.

The company will seek required approvals to issue the new milestone shares and uphold its obligations under the Origin agreement. Superloop's strategy centres on innovation and customer growth as it leverages its infrastructure and software platforms.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 34%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 9% over the same period.

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The post Superloop surges past 250,000 Origin connections, triggers next milestone appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But despite the shares piling on more than 10% gains after the company's announcements, the three analysts we've canvassed all agree there's more upside to this stock.

Firstly, let's look at what the company announced this week.

Solid earnings jump

On the numbers, Superloop announced that its underlying EBITDA jumped 46% to $55.8 million, while net profit was $5.1 million, compared with a loss of $7.8 million for the same period last year.

The company added 74,000 new customers in the half, a 21% gain, bringing total customers to 805,000.

Superloop also upgraded its underlying EBITDA outlook for the full year to $112 to $120 million, up from $109 to $117 million.

Managing Director Paul Tyler said regarding the results:

Superloop has delivered fantastic results for the first of half of FY26, including record organic Consumer customer growth, an increase in revenue of 23%, and an increase of 46% in underlying EBITDA to $55.8 million, leading to net profit after tax of $5.1 million for the half. Both the Consumer segment and the Wholesale segment achieved strong revenue growth, 29% and 28% respectively. Consumer added a record 49,000 customers during the half, and Wholesale experienced accelerated growth in the last two months, setting the business up for a strong second half.   

New acquisition

The other news the company announced was the purchase of last mile internet provider Lightning Broadband, with that deal bringing with it a fibre to the premises network of 24,000 built lots nationally and a further 30,000 contracted lots.

Superloop said it expected synergies of $5 million to be achieved within three years, and the buyout was priced at 15 times Lightning's estimated 2027 earnings.

Mr Tyler said the deal was a crucial step in building out Superloop's "smart communities" asset base.

He added:

The combination of Lightning Broadband with Superloop's existing Smart Communities portfolio, including the acquisition of Frontier Networks during the first half, creates a serious challenger to incumbents. With a combined built and contracted book of approximately 170,000 lots, we have clear visibility of long-term sustainable growth." "Lightning Broadband's strength in multi-dwelling units complements our expertise in broadacre, build-to-rent and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. Our existing fibre network, including 2,500km of metropolitan footprint, enables direct connection to Lightning Broadband buildings, driving cost synergies and increasing network resilience.

Shares looking cheap

So what do the analysts think of all this?

We looked at research notes published by Macquarie, Morgan Stanley, and UBS, and they're all in agreement.

Both Macquarie and UBS have a 12-month price target of $3.50 on Superloop shares, while Morgan Stanley has a price target of $3.60.

This compares with just $2.85 currently.

Morgan Stanley said they were attracted to the company "as the low-cost operator, especially in selling a commoditised but essential service like broadband''.

They added:

Given the high incremental margins outlined above, we feel Superloop is well positioned to respond to any price competition.

UBS said the first half result was "pleasing", beating consensus estimates across the board.

Meanwhile, Macquarie said the company "materially outperformed market expectations" in its consumer and wholesale businesses.

The post The analysts are in agreement, this tech company's shares are a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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The broadband provider said in a statement to the ASX that revenue for the half had jumped 23% to $317.6 million, "driven by strong customer and market share gains in consumer and wholesale''.

Back in the black

Underlying EBITDA jumped 46% to $55.8 million while net profit was $5.1 million compared with a loss of $7.8 million for the same period last year.

The company added 74,000 new customers for the half, a gain of 21%, with total customer numbers now sitting at 805,000.

Superloop also upgraded its underlying EBITDA outlook for the full year to $112 to $120 million, up from $109 to $117 million.

Managing Director Paul Tyler said regarding the results:

Superloop has delivered fantastic results for the first of half of FY26, including record organic Consumer customer growth, an increase in revenue of 23%, and an increase of 46% in underlying EBITDA to $55.8 million, leading to net profit after tax of $5.1 million for the half. Both the Consumer segment and the Wholesale segment achieved strong revenue growth, 29% and 28% respectively. Consumer added a record 49,000 customers during the half, and Wholesale experienced accelerated growth in the last two months, setting the business up for a strong second half.    

Major deal announced

In a separate statement to the ASX, Superloop said it had struck a deal to acquire Lightning Broadband for $165 million in cash.

The deal would bring with it Lightning Broadband's fibre to the premises network of 24,000 built lots nationally and a further 30,000 contracted lots.

Supleroop said Lightning was also the default last mile service provider across more than 400 multi and single-dwelling units nationally.

Superloop said it expected synergies of $5 million to be achieved within three years, and the buyout was priced at 15 times Lightning's estimated 2027 earnings.

Mr Tyler said the deal was a crucial step in building out Superloop's "smart communities'' asset base.

He added:

The combination of Lightning Broadband with Superloop's existing Smart Communities portfolio, including the acquisition of Frontier Networks during the first half, creates a serious challenger to incumbents. With a combined built and contracted book of approximately 170,000 lots, we have clear visibility of long-term sustainable growth." "Lightning Broadband's strength in multi-dwelling units complements our expertise in broadacre, build-to-rent and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. Our existing fibre network, including 2,500km of metropolitan footprint, enables direct connection to Lightning Broadband buildings, driving cost synergies and increasing network resilience.

The deal is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of FY26.

Superloop shares rallied hard on the news, hitting a high of $2.86 before settling back to be 12.8% higher at $2.73.

Supleroop was valued at $1.25 billion at the close of trade on Tuesday.

The post Superloop shares rocket on major acquisition and strong profits appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Superloop report?

• AGL Energy intends to divest its telecommunications business.
• Superloop's wholesale agreement with Southern Phone (AGL subsidiary) expires June 2029.
• Subscriber migration from AGL's network anticipated in first half of FY27.
• Estimated potential gross margin impact of up to $4 million per year if agreement usage drops fully.

What else do investors need to know?

Superloop supplies network and backhaul transit services to Southern Phone, which has contributed to its wholesale segment revenues. The agreement with Southern Phone runs until mid-2029, but changing circumstances could see a material reduction in usage and income should the migration occur as foreshadowed.

Management estimates the total annual gross margin impact could reach $4 million, depending on the extent of AGL's migration from Superloop's infrastructure. There is no mention of a change to guidance at this stage.

What's next for Superloop?

Investors will watch for further developments as AGL progresses the sale and refocuses its telecommunications operations. Superloop will be assessing the full impact on its future earnings as more details emerge around the subscriber migration.

Superloop remains committed to servicing its large portfolio of consumer, business, and wholesale customers and continues to invest in its fibre and wireless network infrastructure.

Superloop share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Superloop shares have risen 8%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

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The post Superloop flags $4 million margin risk from AGL telecom business exit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.